Newsbrief: Middleware provider Fork Particle has released the latest version of its SDK, adding a new Effects Director that allows for particle effects sequencing to create multi-stage special effects.

This new feature can also add event signals into a timeline, potentially triggering custom user behavior such as environment lighting changes, sound effects, or screen brightness changes.

Version 5 of the SDK gives developers the tools to achieve "the next level of visual effects quality and graphics realism," says Fork Particle. The new version also adds a new user interface.